Community-Based Natural Resource Management

A Collaborative, Landscape-Scale Approach to Restoration

The Community-Based Natural Resource Management program is a collaborative, landscape-scale approach to restoring forest and watershed health while building wildfire resilience and supporting rural communities.

Working across diverse ecosystems and ownerships in Northern California, our projects aim to:

  • Reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire
  • Restore and maintain biodiversity & forest health
  • Improve watershed function
  • Strengthen local economies

From high-elevation meadows to fire-prone foothills, our work brings together Tribes, landowners, agencies, Resource Conservation Districts, environmental non-profits, industrial timber companies, and community organizations. This collaborative work addresses the current challenges of climate change and drought, as well as the impact of historical forest management, including decades of fire exclusion.

Signature projects—like the Taylorsville Community Defense Zone and the West Lassen Headwaters Project—demonstrate the power of shared stewardship in creating healthier, more resilient landscapes for generations to come.

Projects

North Fork Forest Recovery Project

A ~166,000-acre project on the Plumas National Forest dedicated to restoring landscapes impacted by the Dixie Fire. Efforts focus on recovering burned areas while implementing forest health treatments to protect remaining green forests from future wildfire risk.

West Lassen Headwaters Project

A 172,000 acre project focused on improving watershed health for Chinook Salmon and Steelhead. Developed with the South Lassen Watersheds Group, the project footprint includes Lassen National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and others.

Robbers Creek Watershed Restoration Project

A restoration effort covering 5,000 acres of the Lassen National Forest, utilizing forest thinning and hydrologic improvements to increase resilience to wildfire and drought while restoring natural meadow and floodplain function.

Lassen Volcanic National Park Project

A collaborative effort preparing wilderness areas for fire reintroduction through specialized fuels reduction. Work focuses on restoring ecological habitats and protecting cultural resources, rare plants, and native wildlife throughout the park.

West Shore Community Wildfire Protection

A collaborative project spanning portions of the Lassen National Forest, implementing thinning and prescribed fire to reduce surface and ladder fuels, improve forest structure, and enhance recreational access along trails & campgrounds.

Taylorsville Community Defense Zone Project

Treatment of 300 acres of non-industrial private lands using thinning, pile burning, and prescribed fire to improve forest resilience and reduce wildfire risk.

Watershed & Meadow Restoration Projects

A regional initiative dedicated to improving ecological function and protecting biodiversity throughout Northern California. Efforts focus on restoring high-priority meadow systems and watersheds to enhance habitat quality and long-term landscape resilience.

Collaboratives & Networks

Sierra to California All Lands Enhancement

SCALE

South Lassen Watersheds Group

SLWG

Lake Almanor Watershed Group

LAWG

Feather River Stewardship Coalition

FRSC

Burney-Hat Creek Community Forest and Watershed Group

BHCCFWG

Get Involved

Whether you’re a landowner, agency partner, funder, or community member, there are many ways to support community-based natural resource management in the Sierra Nevada.

Landowners

Are you interested in learning about restoring your forest, meadow, or stream? We can be a resource for navigating funding, permitting, and project planning.

Agencies & Organizations

We are leaders in facilitating cross-boundary collaboration and shared stewardship to accelerate work on the ground. Let’s align efforts and increase impact.

Community Members

Join a local collaborative group, attend a project tour, or share your feedback.

Supporters

Invest in restoration work through donations, in-kind services, and grant funding .

Let’s work together

Let’s work together. Whether you’re part of a community, an organization, or a funding entity —your involvement matters. Join us in building a more resilient, connected, and sustainable future for rural & urban communities and the landscapes we all cherish.

Join our mailing list

We’re hard at work in our local forests and communities and we’re excited to share important updates with you via our monthly newsletter. Thank you for your interest in our work and being part of our community!